WHAT ARE UHURUPADS?
UhuruPads are Africa's first (and Tanzania’s only!) 100% compostable sanitary pad. A project of the US non-profit, Foot Forward Fund, they are made in Arusha, Tanzania by a team of women, the pads - along with undergarments and our health and hygiene curriculum - are provided at no cost to girls attending school.
Since our 2017 founding, we have supported tens of thousands of girls!
In Swahili, "Uhuru" means "Freedom." We believe every girl and every woman has the right to live in dignity and freedom. It's that simple.
Since our 2017 founding, we have supported tens of thousands of girls!
In Swahili, "Uhuru" means "Freedom." We believe every girl and every woman has the right to live in dignity and freedom. It's that simple.
#UHURU MEANS FREEDOM
WHY MENSTRUATION?A girl in the developing world may miss up to four days of school each and every month because she cannot manage her menstruation in safety and with dignity.
WE CAN CHANGE THIS. |
ISN'T IT GREAT THAT THE RIGHT THING TO DO ALSO "MAKES SENSE"?
Through the Foot Forward Fund, it Costs Just $15 to Provide a Girl with Compostable UhuruPads, Undergarments, and Health and Hygiene Education for an Entire School Year.
UhuruPads help keep girls in school and reduce gender-based taboos and violence. The longer a girl stays stay in school the more likely she will:
- have better health;
- more meaningful employment;
- marry at a later age; and
- enable better health and education for her children, should she choose to become a mother.
STRONG GIRLS BECOME STRONG WOMEN
Strong Women Lift Households, Communities, and Nations Out of Poverty
NO ORDINARY PAD
AWARD-WINNING & EFFECTIVEOur founder's history in global development shaped our resolve to produce a menstrual hygiene product with local economic benefit and scalability without creating new challenges to manage. To make our compostable sanitary pads we were generously provided technology created by Aakar Innovations of Mumbai, India. Among other honors, Aakar was recently awarded Nova Institute's highest award for Bio-Based Material of the Year. As a result, UhuruPads are of the highest quality - without the environmental challenges other "store bought" products present. SEE HOW WE PRODUCE UHURUPADS |
EMPLOYING TANZANIAN WOMENOur Arusha, Tanzania facility is managed by and employs Tanzanian women of determination, confidence, and commitment. Through funding from the US 501c3 Foot Forward Fund, UhuruPads also holds certifications as both an NGO and a business in Tanzania. Additionally, we also have been granted essential permits and licenses from the Tanzanian Bureau of Standards and the Tanzanian Food and Drug Administration. |
JOIN IN AN UPCOMING UHURUPAD MISSION
We work with volunteers from Tanzania, the US, and beyond to provide us with both business and public health best practices.
In addition, committed volunteers join us in the field each summer to help to bring our menstrual health and hygiene curriculum to girls attending school across Tanzania. These volunteers are truly our "boots on the ground" in our effort to bring our product - at no cost - to girls wanting to attend school. Undergoing specialized training, these women (and older girls, age 17+) also raise the funds to facilitate the undergarments and supplies for the girls they will serve.
In addition, committed volunteers join us in the field each summer to help to bring our menstrual health and hygiene curriculum to girls attending school across Tanzania. These volunteers are truly our "boots on the ground" in our effort to bring our product - at no cost - to girls wanting to attend school. Undergoing specialized training, these women (and older girls, age 17+) also raise the funds to facilitate the undergarments and supplies for the girls they will serve.
CYCLE CIRCLES: INFORMATION & ACTION KITS
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CYCLE CIRCLES (or CCs) are beaded bracelets featuring five bold colors to help young women just starting menstruation tune in to their cycles—so they can feel confident each day. The order of the colors in a CC provides a guide as to what can be expect during different phases of the menstrual cycle.
Better Yet? Each CC sold provides menstrual hygiene for girls in East Africa. Individuals and groups can support our mission through purchase of our "Action Kits." Make this great little tool at home - and we'll share them with girls who truly need to understand that they are normal and not alone! Purchase Your Kit Here! Learn How to Make them Here! Learn How We Use Them Here! |
FROM YOUR...team/ school/book club/ business MEETING/ heart...to HER: DiGNITY DELIVERED! |
ABOUT OUR FOUNDING AND CONNECTION TO
In 2013, non-profit strategist, Laura Chauvin, was working in Tanzania. While there, she met a group of women Artisans making beautiful, beaded sandals. Inspired by their talents and with a goal to showcase their work, she founded Her Best Foot Forward. From the start, net proceeds from product sales (which include sandals, pet collars, home goods, and more) have been designated to support the empowerment for women and girls through the Foot Forward Fund, a US 501c3.
100% of Net Sales Proceeds Support UhuruPads for Women & Girls
As her time in Tanzania increased, she became increasingly aware that menstruation is a large obstacle to girls’ education, support for a new initiative for the Foot Forward Fund and other funders began to grow. In 2016, UhuruPads was founded with a team of Tanzanian women employees leading the production of a new eco-friendly sanitary pad being provided to girls, along with health and hygiene education. UhuruPads' production facility shares a collaborative work space with Her Best Foot Forward, creating economy of scale and a uniquely creative entrepreneurial spirit.
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Want to know more?
THE FACTSWhy Can't They #GoWithTheFlow
A Short Video with Key Facts
Download our InfoGraphic Below!
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DELIVERING UHURUUhuruPads School-Based Delivery Program
How We Deliver Our Product
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VoLUNTEER SERVICEWhat's It Like to Travel in Service with UhuruPads?
A Life-Changing Opportunity for Service
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